60 Years Ago, Play-Doh Was Shockingly Used For This Initial Purpose

Growing up as a kid, we’re pretty sure at some point in your life, you must’ve come across Play-Doh. Oh you know, that squishy, colourful thing that you can mold into anything you want. Well truthfully, we’ve had some pretty great memories with Play-Doh, especially when it comes to making fake pastries and food. Why? Because all of the colours and the soft texture makes it look so tempting to eat. (Admit it, we know you were tempted too!)

Fast forward to today, Play-Doh is now celebrating it’s 60th anniversary. But before it became a toy, Play-Doh was actually used for a common household chore. Can you guess what it was? Well, it was originally used as a wallpaper cleaner! A Cincinnati-based soap company developed the product that could help clean coal residue on wallpaper. In 1956, the compound was rebranded and reinvented into a child-friendly modelling compound. As of 1958, Play-Doh’s sales sky rocketed to nearly USD$ 3 million (RM12.19 million)! Wow, that’s A LOT of money during that era.

Image: Play-Doh/Hasbro

Play-Doh has come a long way since its initial years. Back in the day, kids only had four colours to play with – red, blue, yellow, and white. Now, the compound is available in over 50 colours worldwide. If you’re curious to know what Play-Doh is actually made of, well you can actually easily find these ingredients in your own kitchen. Water, salt, and flour is all it takes to make Play-Doh.

If you’re a wee bit obsessed with Play-Doh and is familiar with the smell, you’d probably be happy (or surprised) to know that there’s a Play-Doh scented cologne created by the Demeter Fragrance Library. According to their website, "Demeter has bottled that fresh, just out of the can, eau de Play-Doh aroma." Borderline weird or just genuinely passionate about Play-Doh? You be the judge.

Image: Demeter Fragrance Library

So, if you’d like to take a stroll down memory lane and relive your Play-Doh memories or perhaps introduce your kids to this magical modelling compound, you can visit Play-Doh’s 60th Anniversary Celebration happening at Centre Court, the Curve, Mutiara Damansara from 6th to 18th September.

Image: Iylia/Rojak Daily

Image: Iylia/Rojak Daily

The Malaysian celebration involves 60 local celebrities and influencers. All 60 of them have shared their Play-Doh handprints and birthday wishes which are featured on a “Doh-llywood Wall of Fame”. A host of exciting activities will be organized throughout the celebration which includes a meet-and-greet session with Play Doh’s mascot, Doh-Doh over the weekends. Prepare to have “Doh Much Fun” through their Great Bake Off, Zooventure, Go Bananas (with fruits) and Let’s Go Doh-Town. Don't forget to share your wonderful moments with Play-Doh with the #PlayDoh60my. For more info, kindly visit their website.